Bird Notes from Far and Neat. 
57 
thither very cleverly on the pendulous branches, always holding the other 
end of the thread in his beak, whereby a network arises, — as soon as this is 
about two fingers wide, tlie bird entangles two or three convenient pendulous 
branches, each one separately with the nest materials, in order to connect 
them together at the ends ; from this foundation now arises the real cavity, 
which is formed almost without exception of plant wool (osier wool). Now 
come the feet of the little architect into play; if the nest has reached 
about the form of a finches' nest, one of the birds (so far as I could observe 
the male) remains continually inside sitting, receiving the material from its 
mate, who keeps him well supplied ; this he places under his body and felts 
together with beak and feet. . . . His movements are very droll, he flings 
himself about, scrapes witli his feet and tugs with his beak, reminding one 
in his very lively movements of a great Owl bathing in the sand ; with the 
cavity at last finished, the narrow sides are built up and interwoven, both 
birds take part in this work and the nest assumes the shape of a small 
basket, which should have a really wide liandle. In such nests I have 
found from two to five eggs, and usually the first egg of the clutch is laid as 
soon as the back wall is finished. The flying in tunnel or tube is constructed 
entirely by the male. However, it also happens that the little pair finish 
the nest mutually and only then commence actual breeding operations. In 
the course of the five yeais my observations cover, I found three nests 
w?,!iich had two flying in tunnels, which were constructed opposite to each 
other on both sides of the nest. This is evidence that the mates of such a 
nest are unfaithful to one another and each on its side is seeking diversion : 
" that with such immoral ways of living each needs its separate entry " is 
quite clear. The clutch consists of ten to thirteen eggs, and both birds 
take part in incubation — both birds pass the night in the nest, — the period 
of incubation is twelve days and the callow young are assiduously cared for 
by their parents. Young Titmice remain an astonishingly long time in the 
nest, never make their appearance before twenty days, and are fed by their 
parents for a long time afterwards. In the first lialf of August they 
assemble together in small flocks, which enliven in a charming manner 
every tree and bush growing on the shore. In the second half of September 
not a single one remains. (Miss) F. B. Pagh. 
[It would be of much interest if some member would supply details 
f the Kuropean distribution of this interesting species. — Kd.] 
•X- * * 
Notes on Bird.s of Cape Colony (St. Helena Seedeater x 
Canary Hybrid. 
With reference to an interesting note on a St. Helena Seedeater x 
Canary Hybrid in the magazine for February, I saw one of these hybrids in 
Cape Town last January, bi ed by Mr. J. Tenipler a keen fancier there. The 
bird was hardly through the moult, and I am afraid I cannot remember the 
